Research and Development
Services: Product Design and Development, Prototype Development
Contact: Kory Jenkins, Program Director
Address: 5013 Miller Trunk Hwy , Duluth, MN 55811
Phone: 218-788-2659
Email: kjenkins@d.umn.edu
Description:With the Northern Lights Technology Center, building your business just got faster. The Center was created at the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Natural Resources Research Institute to provide design and rapid prototyping services for industry and University research.
We create accurate, detailed parts and prototypes, faster and more cost effectively than ever before. And you’ll beat your competition to market with the highest quality, most innovative products you’ve ever produced.
Check out our award-winning projects on our new Awards page. Now we are Gold Partner certified in the metal casting of parts. We specialize in aluminum and zinc parts.
Check our machine links on Sterolithography (SLA), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), 3D Printing (both Z810 and Z510), Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), and Casting to learn about our services and our rates.
Now we have 3D DuraForm Flex plastic—a flexible plastic material for use with our SLS system. This is an elastomeric plastic with outstanding rubberlike performance characteristics used to produce functional prototypes or end-use parts where flexible characteristics are a key requirement. Additionally, we have DuraForm EX plastic with the toughness of injection-molded ABS and polypropylene and suitable for snap-fit designs, living hinges, and functional prototypes that requirement end-use performance properties. Another new material, FR-106, is available and exhibits excellent fire retardancy without compromising mechanical properties. Our materials specifications are listed on our machine pages in pdf format for downloading.
Our clients include 3Dimensional Resins, 3D Systems, 3M, Advantage Prototype Systems, Agile Manufacturing, Cirrus Design, Digitec, Donaldson Company, General Pattern, Marvin Windows, Queens University, Reptron Manufacturing Services, University of Minnesota, and Vista Technologies.
Northern Lights Technology Center serves the Northland, Arrowhead, Duluth MN Superior WI MSA, Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, and St. Louis county areas.
